Indian Seafarer Killed in Drone Strike Off Oman Coast
Indian seafarer Gandhar Nahim Ajij was killed in a drone strike on the MSV Al Jusufi near Oman. 13 crew members were rescued.
A tragic maritime incident has claimed the life of an Indian seafarer, Gandhar Nahim Ajij, following a drone strike near the coast of Oman. The attack occurred on the evening of November 2, targeting the Indian-flagged cargo vessel MSV Al Jusufi.
The vessel, which is owned by interests based in Salaya, Devbhumi Dwarka, was navigating the waters near Limah when an unidentified aerial object struck the ship. While the attack resulted in the death of the Gujarat-native seafarer, the Omani Coast Guard managed to successfully rescue 13 other Indian crew members from the water.
Vessel Route and Rescue Efforts
The MSV Al Jusufi was en route from Hamriyah Port in the UAE to Porbandar, India, when the strike took place. Following the incident, the Indian Embassy in Muscat has stepped in to facilitate the repatriation of the surviving crew members and the return of Ajij's remains to his family.
Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the details of the tragedy via the social media platform X, highlighting the ongoing coordination to support the affected families.
Diplomatic Condemnation and Regional Safety
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has expressed strong condemnation regarding the strike. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called for an immediate halt to the targeting of commercial shipping vessels, emphasizing the need to restore free navigation within international waters.
The targeting of commercial shipping must end immediately to ensure the safety of international maritime routes.
This incident marks a grim milestone in regional maritime security. Since February 2026, at least 23 Indian lives have been lost in the region due to various attacks, including 15 seafarers. Previous casualties have included an IT professional and a Starbucks employee during attacks on Riyadh airport, as well as sailors lost following tanker strikes near Sohar.
Heightened Security Advisories for Expats
As maritime risks continue to escalate, the Directorate General of Shipping has issued a formal advisory. The guidance suggests against deploying Indian crew members on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz until the regional security situation stabilizes.
Furthermore, Indian diplomatic missions across the GCC—including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain—have issued urgent security advisories for all citizens. Residents and travelers are urged to:
- Avoid filming any aerial activity in the region.
- Adhere strictly to stay-at-home orders during security alerts.
- Maintain awareness of alternative exit routes during emergencies.
With India providing a massive workforce of over 300,000 seafarers globally, the safety of its expatriate community in the Gulf remains a top priority for government authorities, who continue to coordinate medical care and exit permits for those affected by these rising tensions.